Vitamin K comes from the German name "Koagulationsvitamin" and is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in your fat tissue and liver. Although vitamin K keeps you healthy in many ways, the main role of vitamin K is to help your blood clot. Signs of a vitamin K deficiency include bruising and excessive bleeding, although deficiencies are rare. Because your blood will not clot without vitamin K, your physician may intervene with supplemental vitamin K if necessary.
Coagulation
In some countries, including the United States, newborn babies receive an injection of vitamin K to reduce the risk of brain hemorrhages. The bacteria found in your intestines produce vitamin K, and because babies are born without intestinal bacteria, they are at risk of bleeding until their bodies begin producing it. Vitamin K can also reduce the risk of bleeding in people with liver disease and malabsorption syndromes, and reverse the effects of blood thinners, such as warfarin. In addition, vitamin K supplementation may be necessary for people who require long-term antibiotics. The long-term use of antibiotics can kill the intestinal bacteria that produce vitamin K and increase your risk of bleeding.
Bone Health
If you have osteoporosis, you might want to up your intake of vitamin K. Higher levels of vitamin K correspond to greater bone density and athletes taking vitamin K supplements are showing bone-enhancing benefits. Evidence also suggests that vitamin K may reduce the risk of bone fractures and improve bone health in postmenopausal women.
Skin
Vitamin K may be useful in the treatment of certain skin conditions, such as rosacea. It is also used postoperatively to decrease swelling and bruising, and speed up the healing process. Other skin uses for vitamin K include the removal of stretch marks, scars and spider veins. If you have a skin condition, discuss the use of vitamin K with your doctor to see if this is an option for you.
Sources
Vitamin K is present in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, turnip greens, broccoli and kale. Other foods that contain significant vitamin K include green tea, beef liver, cereals and soybeans. Vitamin K is also available as a supplement and has three forms, K1, K2 and K3. If you require supplemental vitamin K, your doctor will decide on the dose and form that is most appropriate for you.
Warnings
Do not take vitamin K without the approval of your doctor. Vitamin K can interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics, phenytoin, warfarin, orlistat, olestra and bile acid sequestrants, so advise your doctor of all medications you are taking before initiating treatment with vitamin K.
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